FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Pam duPré
(775) 684-5748
pdupre@sos.nv.gov

(Carson City, NV; June 17, 2010) -- Secretary of State Ross Miller says the decision by Governor Jim Gibbons to close the Nevada State Prison (NSP) in Carson City was made independent of the board authorized to oversee prison operations, and fails to address pertinent public safety issues. Miller today scheduled a June 22, 2010 emergency meeting of the State Board of Prison Commissioners in order to discuss and potentially halt the NSP closure. Gibbons announced his intention to close the facility in a press release today.

“There has been nothing presented at a Board of Prisons meeting in support of closing NSP, and consequently no discussion of such a move,” said Miller who is a member of the three-person board, along with the Attorney General and the Governor. “While the Governor makes assertions regarding savings, he’s provided the Board with no evidence of such, nor has he or his prison director addressed the Board regarding the potential public safety aspects of closing NSP. A decision of this magnitude rightfully deserves a public hearing.

“Governor Gibbons has clearly overreached his limited authority to manage the state prisons,” said Miller. “The Nevada State Constitution specifically gives that authority to the Board of Prison Commissioners. The Governor and his director of prisons acted in secrecy on a public safety issue that deserves complete transparency. Governing from behind closed doors is not a government that works for the people.”

The Special meeting of the Nevada Board of Prison Commissioners is scheduled for Wednesday, June 23, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. The posted meeting agenda, including locations is available at www.nvsos.gov.
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Board of Prison Commissioners Agenda - 6/23/10